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NCL Unveils Hundreds of Winter Voyages and Brings Back Free at Sea Plus

Calvin Musquez
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NCL Unveils Hundreds of Winter Voyages and Brings Back Free at Sea Plus

Key Aspects:

    Bing Crosby dreamed of a white Christmas, but for those cruisers looking for a winter of sunshine, beaches, and open ocean, Norwegian Cruise Line has you covered.

    The popular cruise line has unveiled deployments for the 2027/2028 winter season that are sure to bring holly jolly vibes on the high seas. Spanning from September 2027 to April 2028, this season brings exciting itineraries to cruisers all over the world.

    For the winter season, Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet will sail from 15 homeports:

      And, for the first time, two of Norwegian’s newest ships, the 143,535 gross ton Norwegian Prima, and her sister ship, the 142,500 gross ton Norwegian Viva, will homeport from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

      These voyages will sail to 144 destinations across 47 different countries.  They range from quick two-day weekend getaways to massive 22-day journeys for the most dedicated cruisers.

      The cruise line is putting particular emphasis on Bahamas and Caribbean voyages, with a plethora of sailings going to popular destinations such as Freeport, Nassau, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Antigua.

      Of course, what would a cruise be without a private island getaway?  

      Norwegian Cruise Line’s private destinations, Harvest Caye and Great Stirrup Cay, will also feature in many of these Caribbean and Bahamas sailings.

      By then, Great Stirrup Cay will have completed several massive upgrades, including a new pier and a brand new massive waterpark, announced earlier this year.

      For cruisers sailing out of Los Angeles, Galveston, and New Orleans, you can look forward to journeys to Mexico, featuring popular ports like Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta.

      Ships sailing from these ports include Norwegian Encore out of Los Angeles, Norwegian Escape out of Galveston, and Norwegian Getaway out of New Orleans.

      Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship
      Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Just dance)

      Additionally, sailings to destinations across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia will be available for our friends to the east.  These sailings include destinations like Fremantle, Adelaide, Okinawa, Kobe, Ko Samui, and Coron.

      Australia and New Zealand voyages sail on the 1,972 passenger Norwegian Spirit, while Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore offer sailings aboard the 2,352 passenger Norwegian Jade.

      If you’re worried about feeling rushed, rest easy. To give guests ample time to explore each destination, the average port time is a leisurely 9.5 hours.

      This exciting deployment will also include 71 late departures at 31 ports and 70 overnight stays.

      NCL Remains Committed to Flexibility with Free at Sea Plus

      A lot of cruisers prefer not to have their vacations prescribed too rigidly. Like ordering a sandwich at a deli, they like to carefully curate their trip, piece by piece.

      With the diverse variety of offerings coming, running the gamut of length, destinations, and activities, Norwegian seems to understand this desire.

      “We’re thrilled to unveil our new immersive winter season, giving travelers the ultimate freedom to create their own adventure,” said Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 

      “Whether it’s an exotic Asia voyage, a quick Bahamas escape or a sun-soaked Caribbean getaway, our itineraries are designed for flexibility and choice.”

      Further demonstrating this commitment to freedom, Norwegian Cruise Line also unveiled a new upgrade to its Free at Sea program, Free at Sea Plus.  

      This new upgrade gives cruisers exciting additional perks during their voyage, including unlimited streaming WiFi, wine, bottled water, and (for the caffeine lovers) unlimited Starbucks drinks.

      Additionally, Free at Sea Plus provides guests with a massive 50% discount on additional specialty dining cover charges, as well as an unlimited open bar at Great Stirrup Cay.

      More From Cruise Hive

      The new program upgrade costs $49.99 per person, per day.  Not a bad deal for those who will take full advantage of the free drinks and discounts.

      So, if you’re looking to ditch the frosty weather in favor of a tropical paradise in 2027, be sure to keep an eye on Norwegian Cruise Line’s offerings for a new kind of winter wonderland.

      Carnival Guest Upset About Loss of Holiday Drink Tradition

      Melissa Mayntz
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      Carnival Guest Upset About Loss of Holiday Drink Tradition

      Key Aspects:

      • One Carnival guest is upset that there is no eggnog available onboard their holiday cruise.
      • John Heald asked if other guests enjoy the seasonal beverage, with mixed results.
      • Guests can bring their own eggnog onboard if they abide by the cruise line’s beverage policy.

      No matter what they may celebrate at this time of year, everyone has their own traditions for various festivities. This may include special foods, holiday pajamas, events, decorations, and of course, drinks to toast the season.

      One Carnival cruise guest is frustrated that their family tradition is not available aboard Carnival Venezia, where a popular holiday beverage, eggnog, is absent. This is so disruptive to their Christmas plans that they reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.

      “Here on Venezia and no egg nog. It’s the xmas and Carnival has no egg nog. Egg nog is a xmas tradition in our family to be mixed with our dark rum,” the guest explained. “Thanks for taking one of our family xmas traditions away.”

      Carnival Venezia is currently sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary that departed Port Canaveral on Sunday, December 14, with visits to Celebration Key, Roatan, and Cozumel on the schedule.

      But are the up to 5,260 guests onboard the ship really missing eggnog that much?

      Heald responded to the guest’s frustration, but also opened up the discussion to other cruisers about this sometimes controversial holiday beverage.

      “I hope that despite no noggs of egg that you are having a brilliant time,” he said. “Egg Nog – do you drink it?”

      Eggnog Opinions Vary

      More than 1,400 guests responded to Heald’s question in just a few hours, with varied opinions on whether or not the festive beverage ought to be served onboard.

      While many guests enjoy the typically frothy drink, either with or without spirits, they don’t expect Carnival Cruise Line to uphold their personal holiday traditions.

      Read Also: Christmas on a Cruise Ship – What to Expect

      “Yes I love it, but do not expect Carnival to meet all my, or anyone else’s favorite drinks, or tradition. If it means that much, they should not cruise at that time,” one guest noted.

      “Egg nog-gate: where people forget that not everyone likes the same holiday drinks! Carnival is not obligated to cater to everyone’s family traditions,” another guest quipped.

      Carnival Venezia in New York
      Carnival Venezia in New York (Photo Credit: Maksim Toome)

      A very valid point one guest brought up is that there are several brands of eggnog and those who like the drink can be very loyal to their favorite, just as guests are very loyal in the Coke vs. Pepsi wars.

      “It would be impossible for Carnival to provide one to make everyone happy,” they noted.

      A number of guests do think it would be nice for Carnival to offer the seasonal beverage, with or without rum or bourbon, and it could be a fun addition to holiday menus.

      While Carnival has some amazing treats on its Christmas holiday menu, no eggnog options are available, at least not this year. With enough feedback, maybe there could be an eggnog cheesecake or other decadent dessert added in future years!

      Bring Your Own Eggnog Onboard

      Another popular suggestion was that anyone who really wants eggnog could bring it aboard with them at embarkation.

      Carnival’s liquor and beverage policy permits guests to bring along “a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less” of non-alcoholic beverages.

      More From Cruise Hive

      Heald has also previously noted that guests can replenish their non-alcoholic drink supply at ports of call, so guests could also pick up a small carton of eggnog while visiting a port during their cruise.

      Provided the guests’ eggnog was not already fortified with rum or other spirits, they could certainly bring along the festive drink. There is plenty of rum onboard for anyone who wants that enhancement as well!

      Former Carnival Cruise Director Returning But Not How Guests Might Want

      Melissa Mayntz
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      Former Carnival Cruise Director Returning But Not How Guests Might Want

      Key Aspects:

      • Chris “The Flying Scotsman” has announced he is bringing his show to Carnival Cruise Line.
      • Williams will be onboard two of Carnival Legend‘s European sailings in 2026.
      • The Flying Scotsman performs with other cruise lines as well and may have future Carnival bookings.

      One of Carnival Cruise Line’s most popular former cruise directors, Chris “The Flying Scotsman” Williams, has announced a return to the Fun Ship Fleet, but not in the way some guests may wish.

      Williams has been teasing about his big announcement in the past few days on his YouTube channel and Facebook page, finally letting fans know how he’s reconnecting with Carnival.

      “Some big news, BIG news, but I have to break some hearts first of all,” he said. “I’m not coming back as a cruise director. I retired for a reason, I wanted to be home more with my family, I love being home now with my daughter and my wife.”

      Over the past year, Williams has transitioned to be a fly-on entertainer on different cruise ships, bringing his distinctive act to audiences on different cruise lines.

      “After nearly a year of waiting, it looks like I’m coming home,” Williams announced. “I’m going to be on the Legend.”

      Williams has confirmed he will be performing on two sailings during Carnival Legend‘s European cruises this summer. While he won’t be onboard for the full cruise lengths, he will be joining the ship from June 7-10 and again from August 9-13.

      “It’s been well over a year and a half that I’ve done my show on a Carnival ship. I’m so excited to be coming home, I’m so excited to be back on a Carnival ship. It’s gonna be wonderful,” Williams said. “Carnival Legend, I’m coming for you baby!”

      He also hints that more Carnival Cruise Line bookings may be coming in the future, though no further dates or ships are yet confirmed.

      Read Also: Carnival’s Fleet Cruise Director Role Explained

      The Carnival family is eager to welcome Williams home and he got a shout-out from John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, on his upcoming shows.

      “We’re so proud to welcome him back,” Heald said. “We’ve missed you and we are very exited that you will be on stage on our ships again.”

      More Opportunities to See The Flying Scotsman

      In addition to his upcoming sailings on Carnival ships, Williams also has shows in 2026 with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Ambassador Cruise Lines.

      Williams will be onboard a 10-night sailing of Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral from January 10-20, 2026 during a Norwegian fjords itinerary roundtrip from Southampton.

      Chris "The Flying Scotsman" Williams, Carnival Cruise Director
      Chris “The Flying Scotsman” Williams, Carnival Cruise Director

      With Ambassador, Williams will be on a longer sailing, the February 19, 2026 departure of Ambition for a 31-night Mediterranean cruise. Williams will only be onboard for part of the voyage, however, from February 25 to March 3 as the ship sails from Malaga to Civitavecchia.

      Chris Williams and Carnival Cruise Line

      Williams served with Carnival Cruise Line for 13 years. His first position was as an entertainment singer, then he became a Playlist Productions Performer and eventually a cruise director. His vibrant style, irreverent humor, and amiable personality made him a favorite among Carnival cruise guests.

      In November 2023, Williams was promoted to Fleet Cruise Director, working to train and support onboard cruise directors on different Carnival ships.

      More From Cruise Hive

      He only served in that position before retiring from Carnival Cruise Line in August 2024, shortly after his 40th birthday. That occasion gave him time to reflect on the choice between job and family, and while he loves both, it was important to shift his priority to his family.

      “I really want to be there for my family,” he said about his retirement. “I really want to see my little girl growing up, I want to be at all the competitions that she does, I want to be at all her school days, I want to be at all her school evening reports. I want to do everything that a dad does.”

      Of course, Williams is still a top-notch entertainer and is bringing smiles to guests from all over the world. With his return to Carnival Cruise Line in a new role, more guests will get to enjoy his energy and panache, which is so distinctive and fun.

      Carnival Firenze to New York as Splendor Adds Asia Voyages

      Donna Tunney
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      Carnival Firenze to New York as Splendor Adds Asia Voyages

      Key Aspects:

      • Carnival Cruise Line unveiled new 2027-28 itineraries for Carnival Splendor and Carnival Firenze.
      • Carnival Splendor will add cruises to Southeast Asia while Carnival Firenze deploys to New York.
      • The ships will together sail three Carnival Journeys voyages in 2027.

      Carnival Cruise Line announced some major deployment plans for 2027-28, as Carnival Splendor sails four new itineraries in Australia and Southeast Asia, and Carnival Firenze replaces Carnival Venezia in New York.

      The 3,000-guest Carnival Splendor, a Concordia-class ship that launched in 2007, is based year-round in Sydney, Australia, sailing 3- to 10-night voyages that typically include Australia destinations plus Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

      In 2027-28, two getaway cruises, a 3-day cruise to nowhere and a 4-day sailing that calls at Moreton Island, will be offered from Sydney, along with two Carnival Journeys voyages in Southeast Asia.

      The 4,126-guest Carnival Firenze, currently sailing year-round from Long Beach, California, will reposition to New York and replace sister ship Carnival Venezia as that vessel deploys to PortMiami. It will be Carnival Firenze’s Big Apple debut.

      “Carnival Firenze, arriving in New York for the first time to replace Carnival Venezia, brings our Fun Italian Style to the market in a fresh way,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. 

      Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Cabins and Suites – What Are the Options?

      “Combined with Carnival Splendor’s exciting sailings that include visits to Singapore, these additions showcase how we continue to grow our lineup in meaningful ways,” added Duffy.

      Carnival Journeys Cruises Visit Southeast Asia

      Carnival Splendor will sail two Carnival Journeys voyages in summer 2027. Journeys cruises typically visit destinations along less-traveled routes and have enhanced onboard enrichment programs. 

      The first is a 15-day cruise from Sydney to Singapore, departing on July 31, 2027. The sailing will call at Moreton Island, Airlie Beach, and Cairns, Australia; Lembar, Indonesia; and Benoa, Bali, before concluding in Singapore.

      Carnival Splendor Cruise Ship
      Carnival Splendor Cruise Ship

      On September 1, 2027, Carnival Splendor reverses the route and sails from Singapore to Sydney, on a 16-day voyage that calls at the same ports plus one additional destination, Darwin, Australia.

      Both cruises follow Carnival Splendor’s scheduled dry dock at a Southeast Asia shipyard.

      Carnival Firenze to Make New York Debut

      Carnival Firenze is set to reposition from the US West Coast to PortMiami in February 2027, when she will sail a short series of Caribbean cruises through late May 2027. From there, she will head to New York.

      An 11-day Carnival Journeys cruise to the Southern Caribbean will depart on May 16, 2027 and call at Celebration Key, Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Thomas.

      After arriving in New York on May 27, 2027, the ship will sail 4- and 5-day cruises to Bermuda and Canada. A 5-day Canada/New England voyage on August 19, 2027 features port calls to Portland, Maine, and Saint John, Canada.

      More From Cruise Hive

      Also from New York, Carnival Firenze will sail a 7-day Bermuda cruise with two overnights in the destination, plus several 8-day Eastern Caribbean sailings. Port calls on those voyages include Celebration Key, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

      Carnival Firenze was most recently in the news thanks to a technology issue that delayed her departure from Long Beach by one full day, on December 15, 2025. The ship, formerly Costa Firenze, joined the Carnival fleet in 2024 when she was transferred from sister brand Costa Cruises.

      After Lengthy Delay, Carnival Firenze Finally Begins Sailing

      Donna Tunney
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      After Lengthy Delay, Carnival Firenze Finally Begins Sailing

      Key Aspects:

      • Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze departed Long Beach nearly a full day late due to computer issues.
      • The ship’s itinerary was revised, with one of two port calls being cancelled.
      • Passengers received a $100 onboard credit, per stateroom, as compensation.

      What a difference a day makes. Well, 21.5 hours, actually. 

      That’s how long the departure of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze was delayed at her homeport of Long Beach, California, due to a massive computer failure on December 15, 2025.

      The 4,232-guest ship sat at her berth in Long Beach until roughly 1:30 p.m. on December 16, 2025, following a technology glitch that temporarily lost guest information, including booking records and other data.

      Originally scheduled to depart Long Beach at 3 p.m. on December 15, 2025, the 4-year-old ship was to sail a 6-night Mexican Riviera voyage calling at Cabo San Lucas for an overnight stay, then Ensenada, before returning to the California port.

      Guests were informed of the issue during embarkation on December 15, 2025. At that time, the delay was expected to be just a few hours, but the tech issue persisted, forcing the ship to stay put for nearly a full day.

      Revised Itinerary Leads to Compensation Credit

      The computer problem was finally solved, and the ship began her Mexico itinerary, but not without substantial changes. First, a $100 onboard credit was issued to each stateroom as compensation for the lost day.

      Also, while the ship will visit Cabo San Lucas as planned, the call to Ensenada was cancelled, leaving guests disappointed.

      The original itinerary had the ship arriving at Cabo San Lucas on December 17, 2025, staying overnight, then calling at Ensenada on December 20, 2025.

      Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship in Long Beach
      Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship in Long Beach (Photo Credit: mikeledray)

      A shipboard announcement during the delay informed guests that, if the delay continued into the evening, the ship would ultimately reverse the calls, visiting Ensenada first, on December 16, 2025, followed by Cabo San Lucas on December 18 and 19, 2025.

      However, since the delay extended far beyond what ship officials imagined, Ensenada was removed from the schedule entirely.

      Is $100 Onboard Credit Enough? Some Say No.

      Guests aboard Carnival Firenze posted their frustrations on social media and garnered some sympathy from commenters.

      “Depending on how much I actually paid for the cruise, I’d be pretty upset with that deal. I missed 1/5th of my five day cruise and 1/2 the ports? I’d want about 25% of what I paid,” posted one observer.

      Another person had this advice for guests: “You aren’t missing anything by not stopping in Ensenada. Enjoy the rest of your trip!!”

      A recent passenger offered this perspective: “Things happen and the ports are not guaranteed, it says so in the cruise contract. We missed two ports on our last cruise because of the hurricane and got nothing.”

      More From Cruise Hive

      The 135,500-gross-ton Carnival Firenze operates 3- to 6-night cruises to Mexican Riviera ports year-round. Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada are ports of call on most itineraries, with some sailings also including Catalina Island.

      The ship initially deployed to Long Beach in 2024, when she was transferred from Costa Cruises, a sister brand to Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia, also a former Costa ship, represent the cruise line’s Fun Italian-Style experience.

      Pier Damage in Mexico Sends Norwegian Encore to Jamaica Instead

      Melissa Mayntz
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      Pier Damage in Mexico Sends Norwegian Encore to Jamaica Instead

      Key Aspects:

      • Norwegian Encore is visiting Falmouth, Jamaica on Wednesday, December 17 instead of Cozumel.
      • The itinerary change is due to pier damage in Cozumel, but details have not been released.
      • The ship will also arrive at Grand Cayman earlier than planned, but there are no other changes.

      It will be jerked chicken and reggae music instead of tacos and mariachi bands for guests onboard Norwegian Encore today, as the ship has skipped her visit to Cozumel, Mexico and docked instead in Falmouth, Jamaica.

      The 169,100-gross-ton ship, the largest in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, departed Miami on Saturday, December 13. After a day at sea, she enjoyed a visit to Harvest Caye in Belize on Monday, December 15.

      Following another day at sea, Wednesday was to have been a visit to Cozumel. Guests were informed on Tuesday evening that the Mexico visit would not be possible.

      “Due to localized pier damage in Cozumel, Mexico, we have replaced the scheduled call with a visit to Falmouth, Jamaica,” the notification letter read. “Similar to Cozumel, Falmouth offers a lively Caribbean experience with access to beaches and popular shore excursions, but with a distinctly Jamaican cultural and historical focus.”

      Norwegian Encore will be in Falmouth from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., one hour longer than the planned time in Cozumel, which was to have been from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. This will give guests even more time to enjoy this unexpected but vibrant destination.

      Worth Reading: Norwegian Cruise Line Urges Passengers to Use a Passport for Mexico

      All Cozumel shore tours booked through Norwegian Cruise Line are being automatically cancelled and refunded to guests’ onboard accounts. Tours for Falmouth are available for booking at the Shore Excursion Desk on Deck 6, midship.

      Grand Cayman Also Adjusted

      Following what was to have been Cozumel but is now Falmouth, Norwegian Encore will be visiting George Town, Grand Cayman on Thursday, December 18.

      Because Falmouth is roughly 125 miles closer to Grand Cayman than Cozumel, the ship will now be extending her time in George Town. Instead of arriving at 10 a.m. as originally planned, the ship will dock at 8 a.m.

      Norwegian Encore Cruise Ship
      Norwegian Encore Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Khairil Azhar Junos)

      The 6 p.m. departure time is unchanged from the original itinerary. The rest of the itinerary is also the same, including the day at sea on Friday, December 19 and the return to Miami by 7 a.m. on Saturday, December 20.

      Because the departure time in Grand Cayman has not changed, shore tours should not be impacted. If any tours are adjusted for the earlier arrival, guests will be notified of the change.

      What Happened in Cozumel?

      The change in itinerary is entirely due to pier damage in Cozumel. There are no mechanical problems with Norwegian Encore, nor is weather a factor impacting the current itinerary.

      Because Norwegian Encore is a larger vessel, measuring 1,094 feet long, the ship requires a longer pier to ensure safe docking and sufficient clearance.

      Read Also: The Different Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Classes

      The “localized pier damage” has not been explained, nor has any cause of the damage been confirmed. It is possible the damage may be the pier itself or to the dolphins that keep a ship from rubbing, mooring points necessary to tie off the ship, or other essential structures.

      Multiple other vessels are visiting Cozumel as planned on Wednesday, including Icon of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Celebrity Eclipse, and three different Carnival ships.

      Norwegian Encore is homeported from Miami, offering 7-night Caribbean itineraries through the winter season.

      Most of her voyages do include Cozumel as a port of call, but it is unknown whether or not additional voyages will skip the destination.

      More From Cruise Hive

      Any future itinerary changes will depend on the exact nature of the damage, how quickly it may be repaired, and what other ships are scheduled for docking in case berth assignments can be rearranged to accommodate Norwegian Encore.

      Guests with sailings booked over the next few weeks will want to stay in close touch with Norwegian Cruise Line to be alerted to any changes as soon as possible.

      Miami Breaks 1 Million Cruise Passengers in a Single Month

      Melissa Mayntz
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      Miami Breaks 1 Million Cruise Passengers in a Single Month

      Key Aspects:

      • PortMiami welcomed more than one million cruise guests during November 2025.
      • This is the first time in the port’s history so many guests have passed through in a single month.
      • PortMiami is home to several of the world’s largest cruise ships from different cruise lines.

      November 2025 was one-in-a-million for PortMiami, or more accurately, a-million-in-one with more than one million guests passing through the South Florida cruise port.

      This is the first time in the history of the Cruise Capital of the World that seven-figures’ worth of cruise guests have moved through the various terminals within a single month.

      “Last month was hard to beat!” PortMiami announced on X with celebratory emojis.

      “For the first time in the seaport’s history, PortMiami surpassed 1 million passengers in a single month with a total of 1,007,325 passengers in November 2025.”

      While an incredible month, the record-breaking, history-making total comes just one month too late to help PortMiami retain the title of “World’s Busiest Cruise Port,” which Port Canaveral took over at the end of the fiscal year, which was the end of October.

      Nevertheless, this outstanding number bodes well for PortMiami to perhaps regain that recognition for 2026.

      Busiest Port Days in South Florida

      With some of the world’s largest cruise ships homeporting in Miami, it’s no surprise that the popular port would reach the one-million milestone.

      Homeported ships include these largest ships of their respective lines:

      • Icon of the Seas – Royal Caribbean (248,700 gross tons, 7,600 guests)
      • MSC World America – MSC Cruises (216,700 gross tons, 6,762 guests)
      • Carnival Celebration – Carnival Cruise Line (183,500 gross tons, 6,631 guests)
      • Norwegian Encore – Norwegian Cruise Line (169,120 gross tons, 4,000 guests)

      Even if only smaller vessels happen to be visiting PortMiami on any given day, it’s not unusual for the port to host a half-dozen ships or more simultaneously. In November, the port welcomed at least six ships on 12 different days.

      Cruise Ships at PortMiami
      Cruise Ships at PortMiami (Photo Credit: PortMiami)

      November 30 was particularly noteworthy, with 10 different cruise ships from seven different cruise lines in port: Symphony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Azamara Onward, Scarlet Lady, Norwegian Aqua, MSC Divina, Celebrity Beyond, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Celebration.

      On that day, PortMiami welcomed 75,201 cruise guests, the most in a single day in the port’s history.

      “We’re breaking records at PortMiami!” the port shared on Facebook. “On Sunday, November 30, 2025, PortMiami set a new daily passenger record with 75,201 passengers traveling through the Cruise Capital of the World. Cheers to more milestones.”

      Of course, who knew that next milestone would be the total for just that month! Undoubtedly, even more milestones are on the way for the popular homeport.

      Not All Cruise Guests Happy

      While it’s amazing the PortMiami is able to handle so many cruise guests, not all travelers are feeling the love. Ongoing construction and roadway projects not only at the port but in adjacent downtown Miami can make getting to and from the cruise terminals a strategic nightmare.

      More From Cruise Hive

      Some recent guests have reported traffic snarls that last 1-2 hours or longer, even when staying in hotels close to the cruise port.

      Special events such as parades, concerts, art festivals, and marathons can further clog traffic in the port vicinity.

      Guests with cruises booked from PortMiami should investigate if there are any events that might impact their departure or traffic when they return to Florida, and should always plan adequate time to reach their cruise terminal on time.

      Carnival Expands Adults-Only Cruises for 2026

      Melissa Mayntz
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      Carnival Expands Adults-Only Cruises for 2026

      Key Aspects:

      • Carnival Cruise Line is now offering more adults-only sailings in 2026.
      • Two transatlantic cruises, one Mediterranean voyage, and one Caribbean itinerary are available.
      • Sailings are very limited and expected to sell out quickly.

      Following on the immense popularity of their first-ever adults-only sailings over the past few months, Carnival Cruise Line has announced more SEA cruises in 2026, much to the delight of guests eager for these “sailings exclusively for adults.”

      The new SEA cruises are only on select dates and bookings are limited. Interested guests are urged to sign up for email updates so they can be alerted as soon as new options are made available.

      “We are excited to be hosting some additional adults-only cruises next year!” confirmed John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador. “This is definitely on a first come first to get a cabin situation here so my advice would be to register as soon as you can.”

      The “instant offer sign up” lets eager cruisers register for free or login in they already have a VIFP number.

      Carnival Glory, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Paradise are all offering select SEA cruises. Because these cruises are capacity-limited and only available on certain sailings, bookings are expected to sell out very quickly. Once space is filled, the available sailings are removed from the options.

      Which New SEA Cruises Are Available?

      Carnival is trying to offer a variety of sailings so more guests have the chance to take advantage of these unique cruises.

      Of special interest are Carnival Dream‘s February 16 departure from Galveston as well as Carnival Glory‘s March 10 departure from Port Canaveral.

      Worth Reading: Carnival Cruise Guests Question Purpose of Adults-Only Area Onboard

      Both of these sailings are 15-night transatlantic cruises that will end in Barcelona. Along the way, Carnival Dream will visit Bermuda, Gibraltar, Malaga, and Alicante, while Carnival Glory will visit Ponta Delgada, Funchal, Cadiz, Malaga, and Alicante.

      Undoubtedly, these two sailings were selected to become SEA cruises because the longer, one-way voyages naturally appeal more to adults and would have fewer families onboard anyway. This means it will be easier to shift any existing bookings for guests who cannot qualify for what are now adults-only sailings.

      Carnival Glory Cruise Ship int he Bahamas
      Carnival Glory Cruise Ship int he Bahamas (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)

      Carnival Glory‘s March 25, 2026 departure, her first European sailing following her crossing, is a 15-night Mediterranean sailing roundtrip from Barcelona and is another SEA cruise.

      This presents a very unique opportunity for interested guests to plan a back-to-back on adults-only voyages.

      Carnival Paradise is offering a 10-night Caribbean SEA cruise departing Tampa on April 13, with visits to Key West, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Montego Bay, and Grand Cayman.

      Read Also: Everything to Know About Carnival’s Adults-Only SEA Cruises

      Interested guests must sign up for the exclusive adults-only offer and bookings must be made by Tuesday, January 6.

      It is possible that additional itineraries will be offered, though as staterooms sell out quickly, not all voyages may be available for booking. Guests should check back frequently for more stateroom availability.

      Not All Guests Happy

      While some Carnival guests are thrilled with these additional SEA cruises, not everyone is pleased with the new offerings.

      “All during February through April. Works out great for educators,” one guest quipped.

      “Why is West Coast always [forgotten] about?” another asked.

      Naturally, these unique cruises are still new ventures for Carnival Cruise Line. Heald has previously noted that Carnival will not forsake its special brand of family fun and will always remain a family cruise line.

      This means the SEA cruises will always be limited and unique. While more may be planned in the future when they can be arranged, there are no plans for the cruise line to dedicate one (or more) ships solely to adults-only sailings.

      What to Expect on a SEA Cruise

      These adults-only cruises are still evolving, but they involve much more than just age limits on passengers.

      Extra casino offers are popular on SEA cruises, and casino space is even expanded so more guests can enjoy tempting Lady Luck. Casino tournaments and themed parties are also popular activities onboard.

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      Unique, elevated menus both in specialty restaurants as well as in the Main Dining Rooms are a key feature of SEA cruises, with tastes curated to more adult palettes. Of course, the popular free food venues such as the Blue Iguana and Guy’s Burgers are still available.

      More adult-themed comedy shows and other onboard activities are also available on these sailings, ensuring that all of Carnival’s signature fun is still part of the fun (minus the kids!).

      Carnival Cruise Brands Secure Broadcast Rights for FIFA World Cup Matches

      Donna Tunney
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      Carnival Cruise Brands Secure Broadcast Rights for FIFA World Cup Matches

      Key Aspects:

      • Several cruise brands of Carnival Corporation will broadcast 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
      • The brands secured the rights to show the matches from sports agency IMG.
      • Cruises between June 11 and July 19, 2026 will feature the broadcasts.

      Several Carnival Corporation brands have deals in place that will enable them to broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches — all 104 of them, between June 11 and July 19, 2026.

      Princess Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and P&O Cruises announced on December 16, 2025 that they had secured the rights to show the matches onboard their ships via the Sport 24 Special Event Channels.

      More cruise lines could join them as the matches near and more deals are struck. The wildly popular international soccer tournament happens only every four years and draws a huge global audience.

      The matches will be available in guests’ staterooms and also shown in various lounges and, in some cases, at outdoor spaces onboard the ships. On Cunard ships, for instance, the Golden Lion pub will be the spot to gather for the games, while on Holland America Line’s and Princess Cruises’ ships, select matches will be broadcast on the Lido Deck screens.

      Holland America Line will also show some matches in its ships’ World Stage theaters, while Princess ships will offer viewing parties, where guests will be invited to wear their favorite team’s jersey and cheer them on.

      P&O Cruises will show the matches in its ships’ Brodie’s venue. Also, matches involving England will be featured in the larger SkyDome venue on P&O Cruises and in The Pavilion on Cunard, as both lines cater to the UK market.

      English football
      English football (Photo Credit: Jacob Lund)

      FIFA, the International Federation of Football Associations, will hold the matches in various locations in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The sports agency IMG owns the broadcast rights to FIFA events.

      Read Also: What Are the Best Cruise Lines for Fitness?

      “From private staterooms to open-air decks, guests will be able to enjoy the atmosphere and excitement of the tournament as we bring the spirit of the stadiums to sea next summer,” said Kate Garden, commercial director of IMG.

      Wide Range of Summer Cruises Will Feature the Matches

      In announcing that the matches will be offered on their cruise ships, the lines promoted some of the voyages that will feature the FIFA games.

      On Holland America Line’s Noordam, for instance, guests booking the 7-day “Alaska Explorer” cruise sailing roundtrip from Seattle will be able to enjoy the broadcasts. The voyage, departing on July 5, 2025, will call at Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka.

      For a longer cruise, Zuiderdam offers a 14-day Canada/New England cruise roundtrip from Boston on June 20, 2026.

      Sample cruises offered on Princess Cruises’ ships that coincide with the FIFA matches include a 7-night Mediterranean sailing on Sun Princess, from Athens to Barcelona on June 20, 2026, and the 9-night “Circle Japan” voyage on Diamond Princess, departing July 2, 2026, roundtrip from Yokohama.

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      “The FIFA World Cup is one of the most fan-driven global events, and our guests shouldn’t have to choose between exploring the world and watching the world’s best teams compete,” said Lorna Warren, vice president of hotel operations and guest experience for Princess Cruises.

      “By bringing live coverage to all 17 ships, we’re making sure fans can experience incredible destinations and cheer on every match whether they’re soaking up the sun in the Caribbean, taking in the Mediterranean coast, or sailing past glaciers in Alaska,” added Warren.

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